Pattinson has "Breaking" news for "Twilight" fans

Actor Robert Pattinson poses during a photocall at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival May 19, 2009. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

CANNES, France (Hollywood Reporter) - Robert Pattinson, who shot to stardom in “Twilight” and is now filming the second and third movies in the franchise, confirmed Tuesday at the Cannes festival that there will be a fourth installment of the vampire franchise, based on the book “Breaking Dawn.”

Pattinson told The Hollywood Reporter that he is committed to starring in the fourth outing but doesn’t know when studio Summit Entertainment will begin production because of the actor’s jam-packed shooting schedule.

Fans have been hoping for a movie version of the fourth novel from Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling series, and Pattinson’s commitment is the biggest fillip yet. The fourth book — caution: spoiler alert — centers on Bella and Edward’s marriage and her subsequent pregnancy.

Dropping in at the Cannes festival on his way to the final four days of shooting in Italy for “New Moon,” the second “Twilight” film, Pattinson said he will return to Vancouver in October to finish up “Eclipse,” the third installment. In between, the British actor, who turned 23 last week, plans to star in the romantic drama “Remember Me,” which Summit also is producing.

The script adaptation for “New Moon” beefs up his character’s role considerably — in the book, Edward is a “a voice in Bella’s head,” he said.

Said Pattinson, laughing: “You’re playing a figment in Bella’s imagination, so I was trying to do it in a 2-D way. I hope it doesn’t translate onscreen as being boring.”